Despite Recent Struggles, Michigan State Spartans Remain Title Contenders

After starting the season 18-1 and being the talk of college basketball, the Michigan State Spartans are now 21-5 and are struggling to remain atop the Big Ten conference standings. The Spartans are just 3-4 in the team’s last seven games, and a once promising team is now surrounded with questions going into the stretch run of the season. Michigan State has fallen from its pedestal, but can the Spartans get up and perform just in time to achieve ultimate glory?

The Spartans’ recent woes continued Sunday with a 60-51 loss at home to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Gary Harris was unable to lift a wounded Spartans team to victory as his 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists proved futile in the loss. While Harris and the Spartans continue to struggle, Nebraska continued its unprecedented run toward bubble relevancy as the Cornhuskers notched another noteworthy win. Terran Petteway proved to be the top performer in the game recording 23 points, five rebounds and two assists in the contest.

The Cornhuskers virtually sunk the Spartans chances of capturing a No. 1 seed in the big dance, but at the moment that is the least of Michigan State’s concerns. Expectations come with the territory coach Tom Izzo has created in East Lansing over the years, but this could be the most talented squad in over a decade which has many fans wary about the team’s current struggles. Michigan State will be one of the favorites entering the NCAA tournament, but can the Spartans mask the chinks in the armor and make a deep run?

Michigan State is still one of the best teams in the country when fully healthy, so if the Spartans are re-energized going into the NCAA tournament, look at Michigan State to be one of the true contenders for the championship.

Greg Douglas is a College Basketball writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @thegpd93 or add him to your Google Network.